Jim, I want to thank you for what you do and for this "list" which brought me into contact with others having TM.
As most others, when I was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, I had not heard of it . If it weren't for this access to others with TM I would surely feel like the "Lone Ranger" in a negative way. You are an inspiration and a rebuke to me, one of the "walking wounded" who still tends to complain of the fatigue, banding, etc. when I have not have the misfortune of paralysis. You no doubt have had to work hard to function as you do. Thanks for sharing your 19th anniversary--of course, I won't say "congratulations" just "thank you" for your assistance to the rest of us. Gary in Niles, MI ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Lubin To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2008 5:15 PM Subject: [TMIC] 19 year TM Anniversary On May 17, 1989, I became paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe due to Transverse Myelitis. I was 21. I woke up with a pain in my shoulder. Went to work and about 30 mins later the pain got very intense. I suddenly could not stand then stopped breathing. I later found out that my heart stopped and it took awhile for them to stabilize me to even transport me to the hospital a few blocks away. The doctors had no idea what had happened to me. initial thought were possibly a stroke, lyme disease, or Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I was in and out during that time, could not talk, only remember bits. After about 2 weeks I had a MRI and was given the diagnoses of Acute Transverse Myelitis. I was in ICU until July 31 then transfered to rehab. In rehab I was treated as a person with a spinal cord injury. I had physical therapy which consisted of giving me range of motion and practice driving my sip and puff operated wheelchair. In speech therapy and occupational therapy I learned morse code to access the computer. I practiced typing and played tetris and chess. In October, I was able to leave the hospital for the first time and went to see the Batman movie. I started going to movies about once a week. The nurses always tried to get the other patients to go out when I went because I was the only vent dependent high level quadriplegic and enjoyed going out. Others were paraplegics, having problems dealing with their condition. I was in rehab until January 31st. I've been paralyzed most of my life. Wow how time flies. ---- Jim Lubin [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://makoa.org/jim disAbility Resources: http://www.makoa.org
